Roll On : UKM Pharmacy Research Project (Part Two)

It took me almost a year to actually continue this topic into Part Two. I won the procrastination award but there aren't such thing because the one organizing it still procrastinating. Read Part One HERE.

First of all, my research topic is The Effect of Shared Decision Making on Medication Adherence, Treatment Satisfaction and Glycaemic Control of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patient in Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. It is so long. So now you know what kind of business I have been doing if you need to ask anything.

My precious

For this post, I just want to point out some tips *cough* that may help you to do VIVA and data presentation better. It is just my two cents. I hated not being confident enough to state "Hey, these are some tips you could try" because I don't really feel like I am anyone to be giving tips. But alas, hey guys! These are some tips to help you with your VIVA and data presentation. Leave a say on how you think about the tips okay?

I just have to stress out that point first. It is not like I am fearless. I have my worries as well. It is a new thing, intimidating, we are outright going to be judged and all the wrong things is going to be dug out but it is important not to say it out loud. When we say it out loud, it is kinda emphasizing the fact unto ourselves and that is bad. This research has been a very long journey and this is judgment day. So why you need to scare yourselves when you got to be the bravest person ever. This is your baby, it deserves that your mental state at its' finest so that you can do justice during presenting it. Come on, it is your baby. You have already understood it by heart. Stop worrying so much.

3. Read a few examples.

The slides I mean. Since there is no specific format, you should try to read a few examples just to get a general idea. Moreover, different research has their own specificity. Be it different questionnaire format, different aspects measured, different statistical used, yada yada, there bound to have differences. So have a few more examples, see what made them differ and maybe you can even do a mix of few. You have to understand that most of those examples have been checked by the supervisors so trust that it is a good reference.

4. Just wreck it.
Time is your biggest issue now. You want to have your supervisor checked most of your work but they have their own business as well. If you are like me, I am a slowpoke. The best it to do a draft. Just wreck it quickly and revise it with your supervisor thoroughly.

5. Use the lecturers
Some of the lecturers are thrilled to help you. Use them! Get their insight, ask anything, ask everything! Don't be afraid to look stupid because from my experience, that has led me to understand better and thorough. I even practice my verbal presentation in front of my supervisor. It helps to build confidence and stuff.

6. Practice with friends
I am so grateful to be living in a house with the coolest persons ever. We practice with each other from the start of Salam until the final Thanks for a good number of times. It is important to practice verbally in front of others since this is really something new and only you knows it. The persons judging you rely heavily on your verbal presentation so make sure to talk it loud and clear. Not only that it is good to have your tongue familiar with all the terms and important findings, it also helps you to easily collect your thoughts during the Q&A session.

7. Memorize it

If you want to do "Excellent" you gotta memorize it. Try to memorize the speech of your data presentation. Try to memorize the important findings and trends. Try to memorize everything important about the statistical method you have used. If possible, try to also memorize the statistical method you don't use especially the ones you could also use but you don't. This is in case the lecturer asked, "Why your data has to be assessed this way instead of that way." This is important as those kind of questions would help to show that you know your stuff good.

8. Be part diplomatic, part defensive.
Of course, you have to defend your baby but one thing I observe is that some of us were being too defensive. It is important to have a strong stand to show to the examiner that you are not easily shaken. However, when we become too defensive, we fail to really understand the question asked since we got so worked out that we are right and the lecturers are wrong. So be diplomatic, hear them out and sort to make everyone happy.

I think that is all.

Don't get stress out. Easier said than done, but you gotta try to remind yourselves to not be too stress because sometime we just forgot.

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2 comments

I am forever phobia with presentation but maybe that's because I always wasn't ready as I never actually had the 'full rehearsal' like you did with your friends. The worst part is my hand would always tremble when I do presentation, tell me about how to not be scared and nervous sheesh.

Anyway, great tips! I would read this again when I have to do presentation in the future